Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations

Northeastern Illinois University

ABOUT US:

Northeastern Illinois University’s Main Campus is located on 67 acres in an attractive residential area on the Northwest Side of Chicago. The University offers more than 40 undergraduate degree and certificate programs and more than 50 graduate degree, certificate, licensure and endorsement programs. The University is a federally designated Hispanic-Serving Institution. It has additional locations in the metropolitan area, including the Jacob H. Carruthers Center for Inner City Studies, El Centro, Center for College Access and Success, and theUniversity Center of Lake County.

https://www.neiu.edu/


Position Details

Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations
Job
Full-time
4/17/2023
Chicago Illinois
Chicago, IL

IN THIS ROLE YOU WILL:

The Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations will serve on the Division of Institutional Advancement's fundraising team. Reporting to the Vice President, the Director will lead the Division's work in creating and managing a strategic, well-coordinated plan to identify, cultivate and solicit funds from corporations and private foundations. Working closely with the Vice President, IA colleagues, and University leadership, the incumbent will focus on advancing key University priorities through proactive identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of corporate and foundation partners on the local, regional, national, and international levels. The Director will align funding opportunities with University priorities and growth initiatives and will oversee a portfolio of corporations and foundations while working to achieve an individual production goal. The incumbent will provide liaison for the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, and they will have opportunities to work directly with University faculty, staff and administrators to develop and articulate strong, professional letters of inquiry and proposals on behalf of the Northeastern Illinois University Foundation.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Design, implement, and manage a comprehensive, proactive development plan focused on developing and enhancing corporate and foundation relationships that lead to opportunities for financial support. 
  • Identify emerging business leadership and industry trends with an emphasis on developing high value- exchange alliances with corporations. 
  • Identify, evaluate, cultivate and solicit five- figure, six-figure and larger philanthropic commitments to support the mission and goals of the University. 
  • Work closely with Development and Alumni Relations colleagues and with faculty and staff across the University to develop awareness of corporate / foundation outreach, and engage internal stakeholders in the work of building positive relationships with funders through cultivation and stewardship activities. 
  • Initiate opportunities for faculty, administrators, and deans to interact with corporate and foundation prospects and interpret corporate and foundation interests to university constituencies. 
  • Identify key alumni within corporations/foundation and review corporate profiles that suggest potential relationships because of common interests. 
  • Provide consultation for faculty, administrators, and staff seeking financial support from corporations and foundations; To the extent possible, connect their interests to corporate and foundation areas of interest. 
  • Assist faculty, administrators, and staff in cultivation of corporations and foundations and with the development and presentation of proposals, focusing on proposals that address key University priorities. 
  • Work directly with Development staff, Deans and faculty to develop approaches to new foundations and corporations; Coordinate these contacts to initiate the cultivation/fundraising process. 
  • Develop highly competitive proposals for corporate and foundation prospects and leverage diverse corporate and foundation goals and preferences in conjunction with university goals. 
  • Maintain a rigorous schedule of contacts with corporate and foundation representatives. 
  • Actively participate in Moves Management Process. 
  • Inter-liaison with Center for College Access and Success on key fundraising / grant writing needs. 
  • Monitor proposal deadlines, prepare and edit proposals, and manage proposal submissions. 
  • Maintain a high-quality stewardship process for active corporate and foundation prospects and donors. 
  • Ensure that stewardship and reporting requirements are met to sustain successful partnerships by maintaining detailed records of solicitation activities.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

  • A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher education, and preference will be given to candidates who hold an advanced degree or fundraising certification; 
  • A minimum of four years of demonstrated successful corporate and/or foundation fundraising experience, preferably in higher education or a comparably complex organization, and preference will be given to candidates who have five-to-ten years fundraising experience with knowledge of fundraising in higher education; 
  • Demonstrated record of success in generating significant commitments from corporations and private foundations;
  • Demonstrated ability to take primary responsibility for multiple projects and to complete them in a timely manner with limited supervision;
  • Required understanding of cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies and techniques, particularly in the area of corporate and foundation fundraising techniques; 
  • Demonstrated ability in grant and proposal writing at appropriate levels for varied proposal development; 
  • Demonstrated knowledge of methods, practices and procedures for obtaining information about corporate and foundation giving programs; 
  • Self-motivation and discipline to regularly set and achieve work goals;
  • Excellent organizational, interpersonal and networking skills with large groups as well as with individuals are essential; 
  • Professional, collegial demeanor;
  • Ability to initiate and build relationships with prospective corporate and foundation donors.

SALARY:

$75,000 - $82,000

BENEFITS:

Comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and vision benefits, sick and vacation days,and participation in the State Universities Retirement System. This is a full-time, continuing position.

HOURS:

Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (able to work on occasional evenings or weekends as needed.)



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